Where I've Been...

I gotta make this REALLY quick because I gotta go to bed.

I got mad and stopped blogging for a while because for the past 10 years or so, I've been incredibly frustrated with people stealing ideas/concepts from me. I found it happening over and over and over again. For instance, I could present an idea, a feature or a potential promotion to my program director for the purpose of enhancing my show. I would get shut the hell down....but they would jack it the concept, give it to another jock and totally disregard my efforts. It made me SO DAMN MAD.

So after being off the airwaves for a few years, I decided to blog about my experiences and the current state of radio in my own little space. Non stop freedom in my little piece of the world wide web with the right to say whatever the FUCK I want to say. But then, something happened.

The blogs/websites that I have constantly shown love and support to started JACKING my content AND images without giving credit to me as the original source. Perhaps I'll get specific a little later....but for now I'll just say, that shit aint right.

But let me clarify something. No - - it aint that serious....but the gumption of it all really got underneath my skin. It was at that moment that I got tired of people sucking my blood dry. I mean, what's wrong with crediting the source? In one instance, I blogged about a comment on another blog that the AUTHOR ignored for weeks. I brought it up....and suddenly, there was an interest.

Sounds kinda childish for me to even make a slight stink over it....but I just figured enough was enough.

I thought that when you show people love....people are supposed to show YOU love. But not so. What's wrong with you Black people?

Specifics will be provided later.

So here am I. Public once again. Filled with more hatred than ever for the radio game. I'm bursting with emotions thanks to the legendary 107.5 WBLS for letting Cedric The Entertainment scream and yell on the air, sounding like a fucking fool the other day.

I really must retire for the evening....But I'll be back.

PS- Lay off the copy and paste feature for a while. Please.

I Applied For The Job...They Gave It To Nick Cannon

Yes. I FEEL like giving up. Hell, after nearly TWO YEARS of not having a job,you kind of become discouraged. You wallow in your sorrow. You stop applying for work because you figure, "what's the use". But I put my big girl panties on and I sent the CBS owned, 92.3 NOW my audition tape. As per the advice of a good friend of mine, I decided to attempt to go "f*ck with the white boys". I certainly could be successful if they were to give me a chance.

But instead of hiring me, they gave Nick Cannon the job. Nick is quoted as saying,

"I always wanted to do radio."


<>

WHY ISN'T ANYONE SAYING SOMETHING??

WHY IS BLACK RADIO SO SILENT RIGHT NOW? IS ANYONE PAYING ATTENTION???

Arbitron was grilled by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Wednesday over the Portable People Meter (PPM). Chair Rep. Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY) seemed certain that new electronic measurement tool could "drive minority broadcasters out of business." Not so, said Radio One President/CEO Alfred Liggins. In his opinion PPM is "neither affecting the diversity of our airwaves nor contributing to the decline of minority radio."

Liggins says that the problems faced by many minority stations were due to "poor choices," such as accruing too much debt and what he labeled as bad competitive decisions.

He also stated that technology changes are inevitable and that "short-term dislocations" and a "learning curve" are the products of these changes. But, he said, "PPM is the new reality," and that he'd rather move forward than creating delays that could "undermine advertisers' confidence."

After hearing testimony from witnesses, including Arbitron, Towns gave Arbitron 30 days to formulate a realistic plan to address the concerns of PPM critics, including sample size, training for PPM panelists and Media Rating Council (MRC) accreditation, which Arbitron only has in two of the 33 PPM markets.

"Arbitron seems to take the MRC's code of conduct as a mere suggestion. This approach must change," said Towns. "I'm willing to go to legislation, but I'd like us all to work together."

"The MRC has ongoing concerns," said MRC Executive Director George Ivie, who is also a panelist. In Riverside where PPM is accredited, the MRC has found that performance metrics have declined since it was accredited. "Arbitron needs to demonstrate it can sustain performance. Because it hasn't been sustained in Riverside," added Ivie. (12-02-09)

WHAT?!!?!?

I can't. I just can't. Maybe I'll muster up enough strength to expand on this later. (Maybe)

Deep Doo Doo

I think I just found out why WBLS in New York hasn't technically named Wendy's replacement.

Taken from the New York Times:

"Inner City Broadcasting, which owns 17 commercial stations nationwide and was co-founded in 1971 by Mr. Sutton, faces a possible financial collapse because of pressure by Goldman Sachs and GE Capital to repay nearly $230 million in debt, Pierre Sutton, his son, said in an interview Wednesday."

read the rest, HERE.

This, my friends, is what we call deep doo-doo. Their azzes are crying broke. I guess it would defy logic to hire someone capable of improving the ratings in afternoons, huh? Traditionally speaking, great ratings equate to great revenue. New York radio is hopeless. It really is.

Free From Envy....

Or shall I say, Free to Envy?

Just wanted to take the time to show my appreciation for Joe @ UrbanRadioNation. You be on it. :D Your latest blog about DJ Envy leaving Hot 97 got me thinking....

Do you ever truly think about how social networking has impacted us? Think about it. I used to constantly refresh my computer screen over on UrbanInsite, RRonline & AllAccess, anxiously awaiting all the news about new hires, promotions, relocations, station promotions & firings. Today, it aint even necessary to go the news for the news. Envy announced on Twitter that he's leaving Hot 97. Crazy.

So, you know me. After I heard the news, I went fishing. Although Envy really isn't considered a major player on Hot, I still couldn't help but to wonder why he would walk away. You see, people love being associated with Hot 97. Hot 97 is synonymous with Hip Hop. Hell, just being an intern at Hot can potentially boost you to the next level. (ask Tracy Cloherty) So why would Envy walk away? Especially since he was getting paid a full time salary to work in a part time capacity. (don't ask me how I know)

Word on the street is that DJ Envy will go over to Power 105.1 as the new afternoon host. This is what I heard YESTERDAY. And then, whattya know....this morning, Free tweets (there goes that Twitter again) that today will be her last day. (thanks for the tip MSW) My prediction: Mahlika will move to mornings to replace Free...and Envy will take afternoons.


Radio is truly getting more and more interesting by the minute. Sidebar - They called DJ Envy -DJ Envy for a reason. He's a DJ. A freaking DJ. You know....one of those dudes who spins in a club? Don't get me wrong.....he is definitely one of the sweetest guys I know. He's a father, a loving husband and a serious hustler. He has lots and lots of money. He owns his own home, drives nice car(s) and isn't anywhere near thugdom. Just a sweetiepie. But radio personality - he is not. I won't list the reasons now. I'm off to a damn doctor's appointment. Never made it to my 10.00 an hour interview....because I got bad news from the OB GYN yesterday. I will spare you the details...but I have officially worried myself into a medical condition that may require surgery. (fuckin' great)

The bullshit never, ever ends and I'm starting to find it funny. I have to laugh to keep from crying.

Good luck Envy. I aint hatin' on ya.

PS- I e-mailed Cadillac Jack (the PD) about 6 times over the past 1.5 years...and I never got a reply. Even with all of my experience. Comedy.



EDITED TO ADD - 7 seconds after I submitted this blog, my friend e-mailed me to tell me that Envy is the new afternoon host at Power. Malikka Mahlette (sp?) is moving to mornings to replace Free. wow.

DL Hughley FINALLY Says Something Hilarious!

Taken from RadioInfo.Com

The comedian took on the “Kiss 98.7” morning role only this Summer. But just about 10 days ago (November 19) he dropped in on the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, hinting that while Tom may be “getting paid” to work, D.L. isn’t. Hughley jokes that he’s been doing a movie to make money, because radio wasn’t paying him. Last week he was on vacation from WRKS, with Boyz II Men hosting. But he’s back today – and this T-R-I Newsletter suspects the folks at WRKS owner Emmis will be listening extra-hard to see just what he says on the air.

Oh-No-he-didn't

This C list, UNFUNNY negro was HANDED a morning show on a platinum platter - with NO radio experience - in the # 1 RADIO MARKET - and he's over there on the TJMS talking smack about not getting paid? Whoooooo Lawdy. I can GUARANTEE that his salary is more than what most EXPERIENCED personalities are getting paid now days and his ungrateful azz is on a syndicated radio program trying to be slick at the mouth?? Wow. Furthermore, has he been in the seat 6 months yet? Has he shown and proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in NY morning radio and therefore is DESERVING of a big fat pay increase?

Just imagine for a split second what would happen to my black azz if I got on a national stage talking crap about my employer and my pay scale. I would have been standing on the unemployment line like THAT SAME DAY.

I can't help but wonder about how hard DL works prior to each airshift. Does he come in an hour or two early to prep? Does he pick up a newspaper to see what's going on in that big ole' city of New York? Does he bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table? Does he personally answer text messages & e-mails from listeners? Does he have a facebook or twitter page? Does he blog? Does he upload a few video every now and then to YouTube in a effort to generate a little interest about himself, his co- hosts or the radio station even? Does he know when ratings are published and is he eager to find out how he's doing so that he can make improvements where necessary? Does he even KNOW what PPM is? Does he make a conscious effort to do something that his competition Steve Harvey CAN'T do....which is BE LOCAL? Does he meet with the PD for aircheck sessions on a weekly basis? Does this negro know ANYTHING about doing a compelling morning show?

Probably not. Just give him a couple of millions of dollars for basically SUCKING. That's all.

Emmis Communications - -I truly believe you guys deserve each other. This is what y'all get for hiring this fool. I hope he continues on this rampage...and I hope it spills over onto the WRKS airwaves.


PS- My production friend tells me that when Boys II Men sat in last week, it wasn't even live. The whole thing was prerecorded. They sat there for a few days, talked about having Spam for Thanksgiving and played Boys II Men songs all morning. THIS is what radio has turned into. Amazing.

PPS- I'm going for an interview tomorrow for a job that pays $10.00 an hour. Reminder: I used to make $4,000 every two weeks. Wish me luck.

What Charlamagne Tha God Won't/Can't Tell You....

I wrote the following the same evening I heard about the Beanie Sigel interview:

"Dear Charlamagne:

I like you. I've never met you..but I like you. I didn't listen to your show regularly, but I know enough about you to like you. I admire you for being a personality who thinks OUTSIDE the box. I view you as being controversial...but not in a forced kind of way. You're a little obnoxious, but I still like you. Why? Because you ENGAGE the listener. You get it. You HAVE to give the listener a little more than the temperature and a liner in order to compete.

I checked on your well being regularly because knowing your R Kelly's boyfriend aka your former boss, the way that I do, I found it hard to believe that everything was honky dory every morning when you got off the air. In fact, after this 30 minute interview with Beans, I thought I heard ERCS screaming in his office all the way on the west coast."

On or around September 9th, about a month or so BEFORE Charlemagne was terminated at THE BEAT in Philly, I blogged the following:

Charlamagne Tha God has been doing exceptionally well @ 100.3 in Philly. A part of me can't help to wonder if Elroy is in his office pulling his hair out. (figuratively speaking, that is) Elroy likes manufactured, feel good, corny azz radio personalities that he can control. (hence the Miss Jones' firing) Tha God doesn't seem like "that dude". Elroy also will secretly wish death to anyone who says anything negative about his boyfriend, R Kelly. This will be interesting to watch. *sidebar* - Elroy...you can kiss my ass too. I'm thinking about writing a book about what a fraud you are.

You see, I knew Elroy wouldn't be able to last long. I.KNEW.IT.

C Tha God was not your typical radio personality. He was different. He knows and truly understands the importance of utilizing technology as it relates to keeping the listener ENGAGED. Even when I'm sure Elroy didn't exactly get it...and his bosses boss didn't understand....CHARLAMAGNE got it. In the few months that he graced the Philly airwaves, he made a TREMENDOUS connection with his listeners...and he did this not only through the traditional airwaves...but through the use of YouTube & Twitter. In fact, he was so good at it....until he easily drew attention and quickly gained notoriety among a ton of popular blogs and various print publications. He became popular really quick. Charlamagne knew how to push the envelope. He was the type of radio cat that you may talk trash about because of his on air persona....but you couldn't stop listening. He was good. He was DAMN good. So while the internets was buzzing about C's firing, assuming that Beanie Sigel had something to do with it, I knew in my heart what really happened. Since the radio world refuses to say anything anti-Elroy, I'll go ahead and break it down. Elroy is a bitch. He couldn't control C...and so C had to go. I am so serious. By the way, did he try to change your name when he first hired you like he did to "Beyonce Foxx" & "S Dot Carter" back in Chicago a few years ago? (more true examples of the Smith dictatorship)

If you're reading this and you are a part of the radio industry - - you already know. Stop fooling yourself. Elroy is a serious, SERIOUS media whore and a control freak. He would give up BOTH of his kidneys at the opportunity to be on the cover of somebody's industry trade. When celebrities come to the station and you would prepare to take a picture with them, he would literally jump in front of you and destroy the whole moment. By the time you get off the air, that picture is already on the homepage of Urban Insite & All Access. Always trying to steal the little bit of spotlight. He suffers from a condition called, Jackass-itis. Don't believe me? Watch this vid:






(*I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth*) Brand new morning show @ The Beat...and Elroy couldn't even let poor Charlamagne do a little intro video for the listeners alone.

And so....as I watched Charlamagne quickly grow....I knew that it wouldn't last. I too was independent and creative...and I didn't last either. I remember asking Elroy if I could incorporate certain elements into my show...and he downright refused. Why? I may have turned into a Charlamagne...that's why. Miss Jones didn't last 5 minutes with Elroy either. And if C expects to get another radio job, his best bet is to maintain his composure, refrain from bitch slapping Elroy and bow out and exit gracefully....which he did. Good for you.

Listen up Program Directors out there. You really need to stop resisting creative radio personalities. Try to learn about this little phenomenon called social networking and it's impact on the radio experience. Stop trying to tell artists how to paint. You will lose.